The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-25
THE Gas QRDINAECE

THE GAS ORDINANCE.
The point of vital Importance in the natu-
ral-gas question is that the city gets gas. An
other point scarcely less important is that we
get the gas before next winter. An ordinance
that would insure gas before next winter
would be an inestimable benefit to the city.
Its value, even in dollars and cents, would be
enormous, and its influence on the growth of
the city beyond computation. An ordinance
that would postpone the introduction of gas
beyond next winter would entail heavy loss
on the people and be severe blow to the city,
while one that should shut gas out entirely
would be blunder amounting almost to
these points rests with the City Council and
Board of Aldermen-whether we are to have
gas before next winter, after next winter,
or at any time. It is question
of vast importance, and must be
handled with great care and with a
very strict and intelligent regard for the pub
lie welfare. The people want gas and are de-
termined to have it. The city needs it and
must have it. But how to get it, that 8 the
question. When we have admitted the vital
necessity of gas to the people, and its absolute
indispensability to the new life and future
growth of the city, we are only on the
threshold of the subject. The question still
recurs, how are we to get it9 1t will not come
itself; it cannot be brought without very
large outlay of money, and corporation, syn
dictate, partnership or combination of capital,
either local or foreign, will undertake to
bring it with any other idea or expecta-
ton than that of making money by it.
We understand that to be the object of al
business enterprises, and it is hardly to be ex-
pected that the gas enterprise, If we get it,
will be exception. Keeping in view that
it is of vital Importance that we get gas that
it is almost equally important that we get it
before next winter, and that it will require
immense outlay of money and energy to it.
and we seem to have the elements of very
large and very difficult business problem.
Will the ordinance passed by the Council solve
it in the way the people wish it solved9 If
so, it is good ordinance, otherwise not.
IF it will insure gas before next winter it is
an excellent ordinance, otherwise not. Gas
can and ought to be had here by the 1st of
December, and an ordinance can and ought to
be passed that will bring it by that time A
failure to do so will be exceedingly disastrous
to the city, entailing heavy loss on the people
by the enforced use of fuel at old prices, de-
priving them of one of natures luxuries that
is waiting to be supplied, and probably caus-
ing the city to relapse into it's
late condition of inactivity and torpor. The
ordinance as passed by the Council contains
good deal of restrictive legislation besides
fixing the maximum price. These provisions
should be carefully scrutinized and weighed
with reference to their bearing on the main
question, and if any of them are found to be
unreasonable, or if, in the aggregate. they
are too onerous, they should be modified.
The consideration of great business ques-
ton like this must be approached in a spirit
of downright fairness and not of exaction. 1t
is absurd to assume that gas must come to In
dianapolis, whether It will not come I'M
less it is to its interest 70 come any more than
cotton mills or glass factories will. 1t is MOTTO
be supposed that the ordinance as passed by
the Council is perfect or that it will be adopt
ed by the Board of Aldermen without amend
ment. Whatever change is made should be
done with view of securing gas during the
next six months. The ordinance is before
the public; it is now to be seen how success
full it will be in attracting the necessary cap
ital. If well equipped, thoroughly able and
financially responsible corporation or combi-
nation of individuals ready to accept its
terms and begin the work of supplying gas,
them the question is solved. This practical
fact will be kept in mind by the people who
are interested in gas, and do not care much
at whose hands they get it, and by that fact
the merits of the ordinance will De judged.